Automatic scale



R. 1. ZANONE.

AUTOMATIC SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY13' 1919.

w AH W M n m P INVENTOR R. J. ZANONE.

AUTOMATIC SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED lam/13. 1919,

1,386,546, Patented Aug. 2,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- IN VE TOR flazv ORN UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD J. znivonn'or nnw ALBANY, INDIA-NA, ASSIGNOR TO WEIGHING MACHINE MANUFACTURING'COMPANY, or LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, .A. CORPORATION or xnnrucxy.

Application filed May 13,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD J. ZANONE, a citizen of the United States, residing in .the city of New Albany, county of Floyd,and State of Indiana, have invented a certain new and useful AutomaticScale, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic scales. In establishments disposing of commodities in packages of different weights, it is customary, in order to facilitate the handling of trade to prepare packages during the I "means whereby a pre-determined quantity of commodity may be deposited in a container which is included in the predetermined weight.

A further object is to provide a scale of the class described which will be accurate, easily manipulated, and durable in service, and which will be economical in construction.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, wherein is set forth an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that such changes and modifications may be resorted to as come within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing wherein similar reference characters designate like parts in the several views, Figure 1, is a side elevation, portions of the frame being broken away showing parts in positions assumed when a commodity is being admitted to a container: Fig. 2, a plan view; Fig. 3, a front elevation; Fig. 1, a vertical section on line 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a side and end elevation respectively of the agitator; Fig. 6, a section on line 66 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the Specification of Letters Patent.

AUTOMATIC SCALE.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

1919, Serial No. 296,736.

drawings, the reference numeral 10 designates a stand, which may be of any suitable construction, a bifurcated scale beam -11 is supported below the table top by means of pivots --12 which bear in dependin lugs 13-, weights -14-, are suspended by suitable means from the rear end of the scale beam. A frame --15 pivotally supported between furcations of thrla6scale beam is adapted to carry a funnel the frame is constrained to move in vertical planes by means of a distance rod 18-. A shelf -19, for the supportof a container-such as a paper bag, or carton, movably positioned on the rod 17 may be secured in adjusted position by means of a set screw -20-'. A hopper -21 is supported on the forward end of the table top in such manner that a delivery chute -22- depending therefrom is adapted to discharge within the funnel 16. The hopper COIIlprises a lower portion -23-, preferably an integral casting having the general shape of the half of two frusta of hollow cones j oinedat their bases and divided along their centers. The upper surface of this lower or base portion, is provided with bearings -21 in which a shaft .25 is journaled.

The shaft is retained in position by means of a rim -26-, which is secured by suitable means such as screws 27. A vertical flange 28 skirts the inner margin of the rim and serves to retain an upper portion --29 preferably of sheet metal. An agitator 30- carried by the shaft, comprises a tube 31- adapted to fit on the shaft, in the center of the tube a disk 32- is secured. A disk 33, of less diameter than the central one, is secured near each end of the tube and a pair of oppositely disposed arms 34- extend from each side of the central disk to the end disks, the arms on the respective sides being in staggeredrelationship. The diameter of the central disk is such that it dips into the entrance to the delivery chute 22, and the arms 3 1 lie close to and substantially parallel with the walls 23. The agitator may be secured on the shaft by anysuitable means such as a pin -35. A pulley 3G is secured on the outer end of the shaft from which a belt --37- leads to a suitable driving means such as an electric motor --38--. A lug 40--, cast integral with the hopper bottom,

A rod -'17- which depends from rests upon the table top and upholds the hopper. The tension of the driving belt is taken, and the hopper steadied by a standard --il1. A cut-oft slide &2 is provided, which is adapted to slide freely in a guideway 43-. This slide enters the delivery chute at such an angle, and is so weighted that it easily cuts the flow of passing commodity. The slide is provided with a projection -4lwhereby it may be raised. An angular detent lever 45 is pivoted in proximity to the juncture of the guideway with the delivery chute. One arm of the lever is adapted to engage with a detent 46 extended laterally from the slide, and hold it in an elevated position. The other arm is adapted to be engaged by a vertical extension 4T from the frame 15, to release the slide and permit it to descend and close the chute.

In operation, a quantity of commodity, as flour, is placed in the hopper, the weights set at the amount it is desired to weigh, a container, as a paper sack, is opened out and placed on the shelf 19, which is then adjusted so that the mouth of the sack embraces the funnel. \Vhen the sack is properly adjusted the feed slide is raised. It is to be observed that the commodity flows direct from the hopper, through the chute, into the ultimate container, which is supported by the scale beam. Flour is a substance that compacts easily, and clogs a contracted passageway, for this reason the agitator is provided and is kept in constant motion while the scale is in service. As the scale beam approaches equilibrium the extension 47 contacts with the arm of the detent lever releasing it from engagement with the detent 46 and allowing the slide to de scend, thereby cutting off the flow of flour into the container, which may then be re moved and another be placed in position. It is to be observed that the rim 26 overhangs the bearings 24 forming a dead space -50- in which there will be no pressure of the flour, consequently it will not enter the bearings. The tube 31 extends slightly beyond the disks 33, almost into contact with the rim, this also helps to keep the flour from the bearings.

It is thought that the foregoing description will enable anyone skilled in the art pertaining thereto to make and use the same, and having thus described it,

I claim: I

1. In a weighing mechanism, a hopper, a shaft journaled therein, a central disk mounted on said shaft, smaller disks mounted on the shaft in proximity to the journals and a plurality of arms extending from the central disk to each of the'end disks.

2. In a. weighing mechanism, a hopper, a shaft journaled therein, an agitator secured on said shaft, said agitator comprising a tube, a disk secured centrally on said tube, a smaller disk secured on the tube in proximity to each end thereof, and a plurality of arms extending from the central disk to each end disk.

3. In a weighing mechanism, a hopper, a shaft journaled therein, an agitator secured on said shaft, said agitator comprising a tube, a disk secured centrally on said tube, a smaller disk secured on the tube in proximity to each end, a plurality of arms extending from the central disk to each end disk, the arms on one side of the central disk being in staggered relationship to those on the other side.

RICHARD J. ZANONE. 

